Combined dehumidifier and humidifier



1961 E. T. MORTON ET AL 2,998,504

COMBINED DEHUMIDIFIER AND HUMIDIFIER Original Filed Feb. 1, 1954 4Sheets-Sheet 1 146/969 1% Mfg/777%)? BY ,U

Warm/WE) Aug. 29, 1961 E. T. MORTON ET AL 2,998,504

COMBINED DEHUMIDIFIER AND HUMIDIFIER Original Filed Feb. 1, 1954 4Sheets-Sheet 2 t, Egg 1/ Evans 75%"707 Wake)" H )4 ez'n rich I 1961 E.T. MORTON ET AL 2,998,504

COMBINED DEHUMIDIF'IER AND HUMIDIFIER Original Filed Feb. 1, 1954 4Sheets-Sheet 3 i '5 .2 I f," IQ i A s 2 5 (/i lNl/ENTO/PS.

Evans 7? Marion 0. 71.4.. Q /ITTORNEY Aug. 29, 1-961 E. T. MORTON ET AL2,998,504

COMBINED DEHUMIDIFIER AND HUMIDIFIER Original Filed Feb. 1, 1954 4Sheets-Sheet 4 E /08 73 46 JFI .8. MM

.E/QQ A 43 88 A TOR/VF) United States Patent 23%,504 CONLBINEDDEHUMIDIFIER AND HUMIDIFIER Evans T. Morton, Knoxville, and Walter H.Weinrich,

Lake Rice, Ill., assignors to Admiral Corporation, Chicago, 11]., acorporation of Delaware (lriginal application Feb. -1, 1954, Ser. No.407,484, new Patent No. 2,867,993, dated Jan. '13, 1959. Divided andthis application Aug. 4, 1958, Ser. No. 753,857 15 Claims. (Cl. 219-39)This invention relates to new and useful improvements in airconditioning apparatus, and in particular to a com binationdehumidifying and humidifi ing apparatus and to a novel humidifiertherein.

Among the improvements which are incorporated in the present inventionare those which include simplicity of construction, portability,convenience of repair or adjustment of the same and economy ofmanufacture.

Other advantages of the invention will be set forth hereinafter and inpart will be obvious herefrom, or may be learned by practice with theinvention, the same being realized and attained by means of theinstrumentalities and combinations pointed out in the appended claims.

The accompanying drawings, referred to herein and constituting a parthereof, illustrate one embodiment of the invention and together with thedescription serve to explain the principles of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of the improved combination dehumidifierand humidifier, in its entirety;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary top plan view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary elevational view of the same, parts being brokenaway to reveal other parts;

FIG. 4 is a vertical section taken on line 44 of FIGURE 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of elements of the humidifyingapparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of elements of thedehumidifying apparatus in the present combination dehumidifier andhumidifier;

FIG. 7 is a section taken on line 77 of FIGURE 3, the view being on anenlarged scale;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical section in perspective,corresponding to FIGURE 4;

FIG. 9 is a section indicated by line 9-9 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 10 is a wiring diagram, shown schematically.

In the drawings, the reference character 11 is used to denote a base forthe novel humidifier-dehumidifier apparatus, while above the level ofthe base is a casing or cowl 12, supported from said base by a pair ofstandards 13 extending upward from opposite sides of the base. The cowl12 is surmounted by a horizontal handle 14 transversely of its upper endas a convenience for moving the apparatus. The cowl 12 is spacedadequately from the base 11 to accommodate a removable basin or liquidreceptacle 16 in which water removed from the air may collect when theapparatus is being operated as a dehumidifier and alternately, where asupply of liquid is carried when the apparatus is to be operated as ahumidifier in accordance with the present invention.

Provision is made to support the basin 16 in a predetermined positionwherein the basin is on the base 11 in concentric relation to the lowerend of the cowl 12. The lower extremity of the cowl is also at a levelslightly above the level of the basin 16 so that air drawn into the cowlby means, later to be referred to within the cowl, may first pass at auniform rate over the upper edge of the basin and be later ejected fromthe upper end of said cowl. The base 11 is therefore formed with adepressed central region or seat 17 complementary to the bottom of thebasin thereby to include an annular 2,998,504 Patented Aug. 29, 1961edge 18 between parallel guides or ridges 19. The bottom of the basin 14is formed, on opposite sides thereof, with a pair of parallel grooves orcreases 21, complementary to the ridges 18. Assuming that the basin 14has been removed from its position as indicated in FIG. 1 and it isdesired to return the basin thereto, the ends of grooves 21 are broughtinto cooperation with the ends of the ridges 16. Then the basin is slidinwardly and over the seat 17 to the support of which the basin dropsslightly when it has passed the edge 18. While so positioned, a pair ofdiametrically opposite handles 22 on the basin are accessible since theyare disposed intermediate the standards 13. Concurrently, angulardisplacement of the basin on its support is resisted by cooperation ofthe grooves 21 with the ridges 19. When it is desirable that the basinbe removed from under the cowl 12, said basin is lifted over the edge 18and slid horizontally outward in an order the reverse of what has justbeen indicated.

The standards 13 are preferably formed of pressed metal and are L-shapedin general formation thus including horizontal foot portions 23 (FIG. 4)and upright portions 24. The feet 23 extend under the base 11 to whichthey are rigidly secured in any suitable manner such as by welding. Theportions 24 are of curved formation and from points approximately at thelevel of the lower edge of the cowl they curve toward each other totheir upper end portions which are bridged by the handle 14, the latterincluding depending portions 26 bolted to the upper ends of the uprights24. If desired, the lower portions of the uprights 24, where they extendbetween the base i1 and cowl 12 may be shielded by ornamental covers 2,preferably of some suitable plastic material.

The cowl 12 is slightly bell-shaped since it has walls of curvedvertical sections extending downward from the periphery of an uppermostannular end portion 28 its annular free edge 29. Centrally of its upperend 28 and in oifsetrelation thereto the cowl is formed with a grille oroutlet duct 31 through which air is discharged on its passage throughthe cowl.

For its support, the cowl rests, at its annular portion 28 on the endsof the standards 13. The cowl is provided with a pair of apertures 32through which the depending portions 26 pass. For resisting displacementof the cowl 12 upward over the standards, the handle 14 is provided withhorn 33 on either end thereof, which extends over the annular end 28.Downwardly thereof, the cowl intimately embraces a vertical annularflange 35 of a drip ring 34 supported in fixed relation to the standards13 by a stanchion 36 which includes a lower transverse member 37, towhich the drip ring is bolted at 55. One of the purposes served by thedrip ring is, therefore, to support the cowl against lateral sway of thecowl about its anchorage at the handle 14. Other purposes of the ringwill be referred to hereinafter.

As indicated by the arrows (FIG. 1), air is drawn into the cowl betweenthe edge 29 of the cowl and the basin 16, passes upward through thecowl, and the water may be condensed therefrom especially when thehumidity of the air is high. Water may also be added to the air when thehumidity is low. The flow of air through the cowl is edected by a fan 39driven by a motor 41. For its support, the motor 41 is suitably clampedto an upper transverse portion 42 of the stanchion 36 in a positionwherein the fan 39 is disposed in a horizontal plane just below thegrille 31. Intermediate the portions 42 and 37, the stanchion includesvertical portions 43 fixed to the standards 13.

When the apparatus is operated as a dehumidifier, as the air flowsthrough the cowl 12, it is first cooled to condense the moisture itcontains. The cooled, dried air then passes over the condenser to removethe heat from the condenser after which the heated air is ejectedthrough the grille '31. The apparatus producing these effects includes amotor-compressor unit 46 (FIG. 3) in a closed fluid circuit with anevaporator coil 47, below the motorcompressor, and a condenser coil 48above the level of the motor-compressor. Also in the circuit, is a tube49 (FIG. 6) that forms a vibration absorbing loop and which togetherwith a tube 51, of size intermediate the size of tubing 49 and 4 3connects the motor-compressor to the condenser. In circuit with theremaining end of the condenser is a capillary tube 52, which, at adistance along its length remote from the condenser, is intimatelyassociated with the evaporator d7, as by soldering thereto until itcontinues in a series of convolutions 53 beyond which it is joined at 54to the evaporator 47.

In operation, a suitable refrigerant in a gaseous state is compressed bythe motor compressor at. The refrigerant then passes from the compressoras at 56 and flows to the condenser 48 by way of the tubes 49 and (3npassing through the tubing 52 the temperature of the refrigerant is soreduced that by the time it is ready to empty into the evaporator coilsit is liquefied. The capillary tube discharges into the evaporator coilswhere it expands and there absorbs heat of the air flowing into the cowlthereby reducing the temperature of said air. This process continuesuntil the refrigerant is delivered to the compressor unit 46, at 57, ina gaseous state.

Below the evaporator 47 is an evaporator disc baffle or diaphragm 58.The baffle 58 is bolted at either side thereof at 55 to the member '37,FIG. 8. it is formed with a peripheral upturned rim 59 in adjacentrelationship to the interior of the cowl 12, Consequently it affords,with exceptions later to be referred to, a partition transversely of theinterior of the cowl. Centrally thereof the baflie 58 is formed with amajor aperture 61 (FIG. 6) through which the compressor unit 46 extends.This aperture is large enough to provide a space for the passage of airbetween the edges thereof and said unit. For at least a fraction of itslength, the evaporator coil 47 is soldered to the disc 58 so that heatreceived thereby from the air entering the cowl may be more readilyconveyed to the evaporator for vaporization of the refrigerant therein.The disc 58 is also formed with minor air passages comprising apertures62, as, 64, etc., each of which has a flange struck upward from at leastone of its edges. For example the aperture 62 is formed with a pair offlanges 66 at its edges, the aperture 63 has a flange 67 at one of itsedges, etc. The major aperture 61 is formed with a flange 68 throughoutthe perimeter of its edge. The purpose of the flanges is to increase thearea of disc 58 for contact with the air passing through the severalapertures to remove therefrom a predetermined amount of the heat passingthe evaporator so that the air loses its capacity to retain its moisturewhereupon said moisture is condensed and deposited on the surface of thedisc 53 and the coils 47.

As the condensed water comes in contact with the disc and coils 47, itaccumulates and escapes downward through the apertures aforesaid in thediaphragm 5-8 and accumulates in the basin 16. To guide the Water thusformed adjacent the cowl, into the basin, the drip ring is employed. Itis preferably of molded plastic and L-shaped in transverse section (FIG.8) so as to include a lower lip 38 extending inward beyond the edge ofthe basin is from the vertical flange 35. Adjacent the upright portionsof the standards 13 the ring 34 is notched The condenser 48 is mountedabove the upper transverse member 42 (FIG. 4). For its mounting, theseveral coils of condenser 48 embraced by equiangularly spacedcushioning strips or pads '72, of some suitable soft material such asrubber, each of which is itself embraced by a U-shaped metal strap 73,bolted at 74 to the transverse member 42.

Provision is made for controlling the operation of both the fan motor 41and the motor compressor 46. The provision involves a selector switch 75(FIGS. 3 and 7), which selectively determines whether the apparatus isoperated as a dehumidifier or as a humidifier. It is supported by meansincluding a switch bracket 76 having a substantially vertical, planarportion 77 adjacent the wall of the cowl 12. For part of its support,the bracket 76 is bolted to the upper end of a post 78 having, at itslower end a lateral arm or foot 79 extending inwardly under thecondenser disc 58 to which the foot is rigidly secured. From eithervertical edge of the portion 77 one of a pair of parallel arms 31 extendupwardly and inwardly under a motor support plate 81 to which the armsare rigidly secured. Plate 81 in turn, is rigidly secured to the uppermember 42. The switch 75 further has a pair of wings 82, in a verticalplane, extending away from each other while the arms 89 have a pair offlanges 33 similarly disposed and to which the wings 82 are bolted. Theswitch 75 bears a horizontal shaft 84 extending be tween the arms 79,through portion 77 and cowl l2, externally of which it bears a knob 86for its manual rotation.

The switch 75 also controls humidifying apparatus according to thepresent invention for adding moisture to the air flowed through the cowlby the fan 39. The humidifying apparatus is, of course, operated whenthe motor compressor 46 is not operating, the switch 75 acting as aninterlocking element so that the humidifying and dehumidifyingapparatuses can be operated alternately.

Briefly, the humidifying operation is carried out by moving an electricresistor element, heated to an elevated temperature, into associationwth the contents of the basin 16 to vaporize said contents by boiling itat its surface so that the vapor may mingle with the flowing air and bedischarged through the grille 31. Such a heater element is indicated inits entirety by the character 83 (FIG. 5). It includes a resistanceelement, not shown, within a metallic tube 89, bent to a G-shapedformation so as to include its two end portions 91 which are parallel,and in spaced relationship to each other. The ends 91 are clamped inthis position by a lower pinch plate 92, below the ends, and an upperpinch plate 93 above the ends, the clamping of the plates toward eachother being effected by bolts 94 passing freely through one of theplates and threaded in said other plate. As an aid to further the fixed,spaced relationship of the tube ends 91 to each other, the lower plate92, FIG. 9, has offset side flanges 96 extending under the ends and theupper plate 93 has side flanges and 97 on opposite sides thereofextending downward for cooperation with offsets '96 to confine the endsagainst any tendency to be displaced laterally. To pivotally support theassembly of plates 92, 93 and element 89, the post 78 (FIG. 3) bears, oneither side thereof, an car 98 extending downward between and adjacentto tongues or continuation 99 of the offsets 96. A fulcrum is furtherprovided for the element 88 by a pin 161 passing through the tongues 99and cars 93 so that the remaining end of the heating element may swingbetween a point above the level of the basin and a point adjacent thebottom thereof.

The element 88, at its swinging end, embraces a float 102, preferably ahollow body formed of pr -sed metal and having a peripheral flange 103held in clamped relation to the element by a leaf spring clip lll i. itis formed with U-shaped ends 105 and 106, biased toward each other toconcurrently embrace the flange 93 and tube 89. From its ends and 196theclip extends downward U and at the forward region of its downwardextension provides a stop 107 engageable with the bottom of the basin12. When the element is lowered from its uppermost position, above thelevel of the basin, the buoyancy of the liquid therein supports thefloat during which the element 88 is sustained at the surface of, but inengagement with, said liquid. In so doing, the heat necessary tovaporize the liquid is imparted thereto principally in the region of thesurface thereof, there being no need to heat the entire body of liquid.As it is varporized, the depth of the liquid is, of course, graduallyreduced until means, later to be described, automatically operates tode-energize the element 88 at a predetermined reduced level of theliquid. In case the element 38 is still hot when there is insuflicientliquid in the basin to support the float then the stop 107, by engagingthe bottom of the basin, spaces the heating element adequately therefromto obviate damage to the plastic of the basin.

To de-energize the element 88 when it has been lowered to apredetermined level by vaporization of the liquid, a position switch ormercury switch 108 is connected in series with the heating element. Saidswitch is fixed to the flanges 97 of the plate 93 and so arranged to beclosed except when it is tilted adequately by movement of the element 88to its lower predetermined position.

As indicated, when the dehumidifying apparatus is in operation, thehumidifying apparatus of the present in vention is not operating, theheating element 88 being out of the basin 14. Besides the supportprovided by the pin 101 the element 88 is also supported from the shaft84 (FIG. This is eflfected by linkage between said shaft and element 88including a cam 109 fixed to the shaft 84. It also includes a followerlink 111 and a latch link 112. The link 111 is formed with a slot 113through which the shaft 84 passes freely so that said link may havelongitudinal movement transversely of the shaft and be supported byengagement of a lateral follower portion 114, on its upper end, by thecam 109. The lower end of the link 111 is adjustably secured to theupper end of link 112. This is provided by a pair of bolts 117 passingthrough holes in the link 112 and through a slot 118 in the link 111which said slot extends longitudinally so that the proximity of the linkto the shaft may be varied. For its coupled relationship to the element88, the link 112 extends between a flange 119 (FIG. 9), bent downwardfrom the upper pinch plate 93, and a flange 1'21, bent downward from thelower plate 92. The flange 119 carries a stud 122 extending into atriangular-shaped aperture 123 in the link 112 which is restrained fromremoval from the stud by the proximity thereto of the flange 121. Also,it should be noted that the aperture 123 is formed to provide lostmotion between the edges thereof and the stud 122. This arrangementenables the element 88 to have movement by the surface of the liquidindependently of the linkage when it is lowered by the operation of thecam 109. If desired, counter-weight means may be provided to decreasethe pressure of the element 88 on the liquid and to make it easier toturn the cam 109. Suitable means may involve use of a spring 124 coiledabout the pin 101 and under torsional deflection by one of its ends 126pressing against the lower side of pinch plate 92 and another of itsends 127 pressing against the lower side of the foot 78.

It is desirable that the basin be locked against removal, andparticularly against lateral forces to dislodge it suddenly from itsnormal position beneath the cowl 12. This is to avoid damage to theheating element or the basin when the latter is moved violently intoengagement with the former. Accordingly, the link 112 extends downwardand to a point over the rim of basin 16 where the link is formed with anotch 128 into which the rim of the basin extends when the element 88 islowered from its uppermost position. In this position, the weight oflinks 111 and 112 remain supported by the cam 109. Also while in thisposition, the link 112 is locked against 6 movement by the basin sincethe link extends through a slot 129 in the plate 58, the slot limitingedgewise motion of the link 112.

The control of the foregoing apparatus is partly by manual operation ofthe knob 86. It is fixed to the outer end of the shaft 84 and is formedwith a pointer 132 (FIG. 5) at its periphery. About the periphery of theknob, on an ornamental dial 133 (FIG. 1) which is fixed to the cowl 12,are spaced apart graduations denoted by the following indicia: namely,Off, Dehumidify, Fan and Hurnidify. When the pointer 132 is opposite theOff indicia, all features of the apparatus are inactive. This is becausethe several connections, not shown, within the switch 75, are open. Alsowhile the switch connections are open, the follower 114 rests on a highside 134 of the cam 109 thereby supporting the element 88 in itsuppermost position above the level of the basin 14. The element 88remains in its uppermost positon when the knob 86 is movedcounterclockwise until pointer 132 is at iHumidify, due to the formationof the cam 109. When the knob is turned from the Off positionone-quarter turn counterclockwise to the Dehumidify position the fanmotor 41 and motor compressor 46 are energized due to the operation ofthe switch to cause the apparatus to operate as a dehumidifier, so thatit reduces the humidity of the air within the cowl 12 and ejects the airso conditioned from the upper end of the cowl. By swinging the pointer132 additionally in a counterclockwise direction, until it is oppositethe indicia, Fan, the motor, compressor 46 is deenergized withoutinterrupting the operation of the fan 39 while the element 83 isretained in its uppermost position. The cam 109 has a dwell 136 or lowside at its periphery, however, which faces upward when the pointer isswung counterclockwise to a point opposite the notation humidify. Atthis point the follower 114 having been lowered, the element 88 is alsolowered as permitted by the buoyancy of the fluid of basin 16.Concurrently as the pointer is swung to its humidify position the switchpermits the heating element to become energized the circuit beingthrough the mercury switch 108 while the fan 39 continues its operationto blow the moistened air from the cowl. The humidifying operation may,of course, be discontinued at any time by moving the pointer in eitherdirection away from its humidifying position. It is also possible toturn the knob 86 in either direction to shift from one of the operationsaforesaid to another of the operations of the apparatus.

Although we have described one embodiment of our invention, we are awarethat numerous and extensive departures may be made therefrom withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the invention.

This application is a division of our copending application Serial No.407,484, filed February 1, 1954.

We claim:

1. A humidifying apparatus comprising a casing through which air may beflowed, a liquid receptacle arranged for the contents thereof to be incommunication with the flow of air, a heating element within the casing,and a linkage principally within the casing and supporting the elementbut including a portion extending externally of said casing from wherethe linkage may be manipulated manually to vary the flow of air bycooperating with draft regulating instrumentalities within said casingto concurrently vary the position of said element between a pointadjacent the basin and a point within the basin occupied by itscontents, said element being capable of vaporizing the contents byengagement therewith so that the vapor thereby produced may mix with theflowing air.

2. A humidifying apparatus comprising a casing through which air may beflowed by a blower within the casing, a liquid receptacle arranged atthe bottom of the casing for the contents thereof to be in communicationwith the air flowing through said casing, a control shaft 7 extendingexternally of the casing where it may be manually manipulated tomanipulate apparatus therein for controlling the operation of theblower, a linkage having a remote portion adjacent the receptacle and anear portion at the shaft, a heating element supported from the remoteportion, means on the shaft cooperating with said near portion, toprovide an operating relationship between a lateral region of said shaftand said linkage whereby said element may be moved in and out ofengagement with the contents of the receptacle as the shaft is movedalternately in opposite directions, said element being capable ofvaporizing the contents of the receptacle when in communicationtherewith so that the vapor thus produced may mix with the air flowingthrough the casing.

3. A humidifying apparatus comprising a casing through which air isflowed from an inlet duct at the bottom to an exhaust duct at the topthereof, a basin to hold water in communication with the air passingthrough the casing, a shaft, extending through the wall of the casing ofwhich it may be manually turned to manipulate draft control means Withinthe casing, an electric heating element, a linkage supporting theelement in pivoted relation to the basin and extending to the shaft,means on the shaft spacing the linkage therefrom to a degree varyingwith the angular position of said shaft thereby for the element to beswung into engagement with and alternately out of engagement with thewater as the shaft is turned through a complete revolution, said elementbeing capable of vaporizing the Water enabling it to mix with the airpassing through the casing and be ejected from the exhaust duct.

4. A humidifying apparatus comprising a casing having an air inlet atthe base and an outlet at the top thereof, a motor driven fan within thecasing to flow the air therethrough, a basin to hold water incommunication with the air passing through said casing, an electricheating element, a shaft extending through the wall of the casingexteriorly and arranged to be turned manually, a linkage connected toand supporting the element in movable association with the basin andextending to the shaft, a cam fixed to said shaft and spacing thelinkage therefrom whereby said element is moved into engagement with thewater of the basin when the shaft is rotated through one are andalternately moved out of engagement with the water when the shaft isturned through another are, said element being energized concurrentlywith its movement into engagement with the water and deenergized withits movement out of engagement therewith, said element vaporizing thewater during its engagement for the vaporized water to mix with theflowing air, said connection of said heating element to said linkagecomprising a lost motion connection enabling the heating element tofloat in the water and rise and fall with the level of the water.

5. A humidifying apparatus comprising a casing through which air may beflowed, a removable liquid receptacle arranged for the contents thereofto be in communication with the air passing through the casing, aheating element within the casing, a linkage therein extending throughthe walls thereof for its manual manipulation externally thereof tocontrol means within the casing for governing the flow of air and toprovide support for the element whereby said element may be movedalternately in and out of communication with the contents of thereceptacle as the position of said portion is varied alternately inopposite directions, said element being capable of vaporizing thecontents of the receptacle when in engagement therewith for thevaporized contents to mix with the air flowing through the casing, andinterlocking means on the linkage for engaging the receptacle when theelement is moved into the liquid to lock the receptacle against removalfrom the casing until said element is moved away from the contents ofsaid liquid.

6. A humidifying apparatus comprising a casing through which air may beflowed by a blower within the casing, a removable liquid receptaclearranged at the bottom of the casing for contents of said receptacle tobe in communication with the air flowing through said casing, a controlshaft extend ng externally of the casing where it may be manuallymanipulated to manipulate apparatus therein for controlling theoperation of the blower, a linkage having a remote portion adjacent thereceptacle and a near end at the shaft, a heating element supported fromthe remote portion, a member on the shaft cooperating with said near endto provide a mechanical advantage between the shaft and said linkage tomove the linkage when the shaft is moved thereby for said element to bemoved in and out of engagement with the contents of the receptacle asthe shaft is moved alternately in opposite directions, said elementbeing capable of vaporizing the contents of the receptacle when incommunication therewith for the vaporized contents to mix with the airflowing through the casing, and locking means on the linkage forengaging the receptacle when the element is moved into the liquid tolock the receptacle against removal from the casing until said elementis moved away from the contents of said receptacle.

7. A humidifying apparatus comprising a casing through which air isflowed from an inlet duct at the bottom to an exhaust duct at the topthereof, a slidably removable basin to hold water in communication withthe air passing through the casing, a shaft extending through the wallof the casing exteriorly, said shaft arranged to be turned manually tomanipulate draft control means within the casing, an electric heatingelement, a linkage supporting the element in pivoted relation to thebasin and extending to and being biased toward the shaft, means on theshaft spacing the linkage therefrom to a degree varying with the angularposition of said shaft thereby for the element to be swung intoengagement with and alternately out of engagement with the water as theshaft is turned through a complete revolution, said element beingcapable of vaporizing the water enabling it to mix with the air passingthrough the casing and be ejected from the exhaust duct, and a lockingdevice in connection with the linkage for locking the basin againstremoval by embracing an edge wall of said basin when the element ismoved toward the water and is disengaged from said edge when the elementis moved away from the water.

8. A humidifying apparatus comprising a casing having an air inlet atthe base and an outlet at the top thereof, a motor driven fan within thecasing to flow the air therethrough, a removable basin to hold water incommunication with the air passing through said casing, an electricheating element, a shaft extending through the wall of the casingexteriorly and arranged to be turned manually to operate switchescontrolling the energization of the element and operation of the fan, alinkage supporting the element in movable association with the basin andextending to the shaft and being biased toward said shaft, a cam fixedto said shaft and spacing the linkage therefrom whereby said element ismoved into engagement with the water of the basin when the shaft isrotated through one are and alternately moved out of engagement with thewater when the shaft is turned through another are, said element beingenergized concurrently with its movement into engagement with the waterand deenergized with its movement out of engagement therewith, saidelement vaporizing the water during its engagement therewith enabling itto mix with the flowing air, and a locking device on the linkagearranged to grasp an edge of the basin when the element is lowered andprevent removal of said basin from the casing until said element israised out of said basin.

9. A humidifying apparatus comprising a base, a vertical cowl supportedabove the level of the base and hav- IIIgFIIBEiDS therein for flowingair therethrough, a liquid basin formed for insertion between said baseand said cowl and having first guide surfaces thereon, said base beingformed with a seat centrally thereof for the basin and fWlth secondguide surfaces communicating with said.

seat for cooperation with said first surfaces when the basin is slidover toward the seat and by which the basin when supported by said seatis supported in a predetermined position relative to the base.

10. A hurnidifying apparatus comprising a base, a vertical cowlsupported above the level of the base and having means therein forflowing air therethrough, a liquid basin formed for insertion betweensaid base and said cowl and having first guide surfaces thereon, saidbase being formed with a seat centrally thereof for the basin and withsecond guide surfaces communicating with said seat for cooperation withsaid first surfaces when the basin is slid over the base toward the seatand by which the basin when supported by said seat is supported in apredetermined position relative to the base, and a locking devicesupported at a point adjacent the cowling and movable into lockingcooperation with an edge portion of the basin to resist removal of saidbasin when the humidifying apparatus is in operation.

11. A humidifying apparatus comprising a base, a vertical cowl supportedabove the level of the base and having means therein for flowing airtherethrough, a liquid basin formed for insertion between said base andsaid cowl to occupy a position thereunder, a manually operable shaftextending through the walls of the cowl and in communication withcontrol means therein for controlling the flow of air through said cowl,an electric heating element, a linkage supporting said element inmovable relation to the basin and being coupled to the shaft, saidcoupling providing a mechanical advantage between the linkage and shaftas said shaft is moved thereby to move the element in greater or lessproximity to the bottom of the basin, and a spacer in fixed relation tothe element to engage the bottom and thereby limit the proximity towhich said element may approach said bottom.

12. A humidifying apparatus comprising a base, a vertical cowl supportedabove the level of the base, a basin to hold water, said basin beingformed for insertion between said base and said cowl to occupy aposition under said cowl, a motor-driven fan within the cowl to How airtherethrough, an electric heating element, a shaft extending through thewall of the casing exteriorly of which said shaft may be turned manuallyto operate switches controlling the energization of the element andoperation of the fan, a linkage supporting the element in movableassociation with the basin and extending to the shaft and being biasedtoward said shaft, a cam fixed to said shaft and spacing the linkagetherefrom whereby said element is moved into engagement with the waterof the basin when the shaft is rotated through one are and alternatelymoved out of engagement with the water when the shaft is turned throughanother are, and a switch associated with the linkage and in circuitwith the element, said switch being normally closed but arranged to beopened by a motion of said element to a predetermined proximity of thebottom of the basin, said element being energized concurrently with itsmovement into the water and deenergized on its movement therefrom andbeing capable of vaporizing the water during its engagement for thevaporized water to mix with the air flowing through the cowl.

13. A humidifying apparatus comprising a casing through which air may beflowed, a liquid receptacle arranged for the contents thereof to be incommunication with the air passing through the casing, a heatingelement, a linkage within the casing, said linkage being arranged tomovably support the element and to extend to the exterior of the casingto be operated manually in one direction to lower said element intoengagement with the contents of the receptacle and alternately in theopposite direction to withdraw the element from engagement with saidcontents and to control the flow of air through the casing byconcurrently regulating draft producing means, said element beingcapable of vaporing the contents When engaging the same so that saidcontents may mix with the air and be carried out of the casing, a floatto support the element in engagement with the contents at the surfacethereof by the buoyant effect of said contents on said float and beingsupported by said element when it is out of engagement with saidcontents, the engagement of the element with the contents providing forvaporizing of the contents progressively from the surface thereof.

14. A humidifying apparatus comprising a casing through which air isflowed from an inlet duct at the bottom to an exhaust duct at the topthereof, a basin to hold water in communication with the air passingthrough the casing, a shaft extending through the wall of the casingexteriorly and arranged to be turned manually to manipulate draftcontrol means within the casing, an electric heating element, a linkagesupporting the element in pivoted relation to the basin and extending toand being biased toward the shaft, means on the shaft spacing thelinkage therefrom to a degree varying with the angllar position of saidshaft enabling the element to be swung into and out of engagement withthe water as the shaft is turned through a complete revolution, saidelement being capable of vaporizing the water to mix it with the airpassing through the casing and to be ejected from the exhaust duct, anda float supported by the element to engage the water when said elementis lowered and provide suflicient buoyancy for the element to be floatedat the surface of said water to evaporate said water from the surfacethereof.

15. A humidifying apparatus comprising a casing having an air inlet atthe base and an outlet at the top thereof, a motor driven fan within thecasing to flow air therethrough, a basin to hold water in communicationwith the air passing through said casing, an electric heating element, ashaft extending through the wall of the casing exteriorly and arrangedto be turned manually tooperate switches controlling the energization ofthe element and operation of the fan, a linkage supporting the elementin movable association with the basin and extending to the shaft andbeing biased toward said shaft, a cam fixed to said shaft and spacingthe linkage whereby said element is moved into engagement with the waterof the basin when the shaft is rotated through one are and alternatelymoved out of engagement with the water when the shaft is turned throughanother are, said element being energized concurrently with its movementinto engagement with the water and deenergized with its movement out ofengagement therewith, said element vaporizing the water during itsengagement therewith for the vaporized water to mix with the flowingair, and a float in association with the element to engage the waterwhen said element is lowered and to provide sufiicient buoyancy tosupport said element at the surface of the water when in engagementtherewith thereby progressively vaporizing the water from its surfacedownward.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,869,623 Rubini et al. Aug. 2, 1932 1,953,794 Zummach Apr. 3, 19342,022,523 Roessler Nov. 26, 1935 2,150,224 Hull Mar. 14, 1939 2,244,180Williams et al. June 3, 1941 2,336,011 Habersturnp Dec. 7, 19432,365,243 Boren Dec. 19, 1944 2,626,136 Krauss Ian. 20, 1953 2,630,691Harris et al. Mar. 10, 1953

